Will we create simulations of humans? For instance, when we invent a Holodeck like in Star Trek? Nick Bostrom dares not to assess the likelihood of that. But do not have to look far for answers. Imagine a world where you can be king or queen. You can even make the world as you like and create your paradise. You can write your life’s story and make your life the way you want it to be. You can have the ideal spouse who fulfils your deepest romantic and sexual desires. And no one frustrates your ambitions.

Your dream can be your life. And you don’t have to wake up. It is simply too tempting to resist. Your life is not great. Your spouse is not perfect and does not fulfil your deepest desires. Your job is mediocre or worse. Others make you feel miserable. Your boss ignores your brilliant ideas. You think you deserve better. Likely, at least one of those options applies to you. If we could make our dreams come true, we would. So many of us would spend a lot of time there if we ever invented something like the Holodeck from Star Trek. Scott Adams, the author of Dilbert, believed he would never leave.¹

What you just read is information, in this case, insights into human nature. We will make our dreams a reality if we can. Alternatively, we can look at the advances in artificial intelligence, extrapolate them, and demonstrate that simulations of humans will be feasible at some point. Hence, we might live in a simulation and be someone’s fantasy. But showing it is possible or likely doesn’t prove it. How can we do that?

Simulations could be realistic in many ways and unrealistic in some aspects. If we notice that, we might live inside a simulation. Instead of speculating about us living in a simulation by guessing the probability of post-humans existing and their abilities, resources, and possible motivations, we can look at what we know about our universe. That is also information. Perhaps we can establish that we live in a simulation as follows:

1. If this universe is genuine, we cannot be sure that it is. A simulation can be realistic and come with authentic laws of reality.
2. This universe may have fake properties, but we cannot establish this because we do not know the properties of an authentic universe.
3. Breaching the laws of reality is unrealistic in any case. If it happens, we may have evidence of this universe being virtual.

Science can establish the laws of reality or the properties of this universe. However, science can’t determine whether they are real or fake. Perhaps there is no gravity in a genuine world, even though we deem it unlikely. But the breaching of these laws suggests we live in a simulation. If we believe science is correct, breaching its laws proves the simulation. We have a body of evidence for the scientifically established laws of reality. Breaches of these laws of reality are pieces of information about our universe. Science has established, among others, the following:

• The laws of physics always apply inside their realms. Newton’s third law of motion states there is an equal opposite for every action.
• The universe started with a big bang. Life on this planet emerged from chemical processes, and evolution shaped it. There is no evidence of a creator.
• We are biological organisms made of carbon and water, and our consciousnesses reside in our bodies. There is no spirit or soul.

Evidence to the contrary indicates this world is fake. Meaningful coincidences suggest there could be an intelligent force directing events. The paranormal defies the laws of physics. A ghost pushing you breaches Newton’s laws of motion. Credible reincarnation stories upset the claim we are biological organisms. But meaningful coincidences can materialise by chance. There may be laws of reality we do not know. The sceptics may be unconvinced. There is plenty of evidence of the consciousness residing in the body, while only a few people remember a previous life. And ghosts, have you seen them? Perhaps it is time to take your pills. But if the accounts of breaches of the established laws of reality are credible, we live inside a simulation.

Featured image: Loesje poster, I am as real as you want me to be

Latest update: 6 April 2023

1. The Dilbert Future. Scott Adams (1997). Harper Business.